This report is in response to Section 6206 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (PL 110-246), which directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and Transportation jointly to conduct a study of rural transportation issues. The report reviews transportation and its effect on rural communities, with an emphasis on agricultural transportation. It looks in depth into each of the four major modes of transportation commonly used by agriculture in the United States: trucking, railroads, barges, and ocean vessels, examining each in the light of its ability to meet rural Americas transportation needs now and in the future. It identifies some broad issues that merit attention from policy makers.

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